SpaceX Starship launch ‘flamedeflectors’ may not comply with environmental regulations, says report

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• CNBC reported that SpaceX did not apply for an environmental permit to use its "flame-deflector" system.
• The technology is designed to reduce "heat" and "force" in its Starship rocket launch.
• CNBC reports that the runoff may cause pollutants to enter the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.

CNBC reported that SpaceX could have violated environmental laws by failing to obtain the necessary permits to use their "flame deflector system" used in rocket launches.

Elon Musk, CEO of the company, tweeted on Friday that the water deluge test was a complete pressure test to combat the "immense force and heat" of a Starship's launch.

According to a CNBC article, SpaceX did not apply for the necessary environmental permits to use this technology.

The water used to make the flame detector could contain pollutants which may enter the ecosystems surrounding SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy Launch Site, including the Gulf of Mexico.

CNBC reported that a representative of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said Thursday that SpaceX had not yet obtained the Texas Pollutant Elimination System permit required to allow such runoff on the launch site.

The representative said that "no determination" had been made as to whether SpaceX violated environmental laws.

SpaceX may be fined for violations by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The company did not respond immediately to an Insider request made outside of normal business hours or to CNBC's request for a comment. Insider also didn't receive a response from the Texas commission.

Jeff Baumgardner, a physicist at Spaceweather, said last week that a SpaceX rocket launch in early July temporarily punched a small hole in Earth's ionosphere.

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By: rhogg@insider.com (Ryan Hogg)
Title: SpaceX ‘flame deflector’ system for Starship launches may breach environmental regulations, report says
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/spacex-didnt-get-permit-for-starship-flame-deflector-system-report-2023-7
Published Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:18:04 +0000

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